> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Raspberry Pi OS Upgrade: Ditching X11, A New Browser, and Debian 12 - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/raspberry-pi-os-bookworm/ - Published: 2023-10-12T11:12:26.000Z - Updated: 2023-10-12T11:12:26.000Z - Description: The Raspberry Pi OS is ready for the latest Raspberry Pi 5 hardware with Debian 12 and other big changes. - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: Distribution Releases, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 A new release of Raspberry Pi OS is here to complement the recently launched [Raspberry Pi 5](https://itsfoss.com/raspberry-pi-5/). The developers have worked on it for quite some time now. It features loads of improvements and a major change that signifies the move to a more modern approach to window systems. Let's see what they've accomplished. ## Raspberry Pi OS: What's New? ![a screenshot of raspberry pi os](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/RaspberryPi_OS_Bookworm_1.png) Based on the latest **[Debian 12 'Bookworm'](https://itsfoss.com/debian-12-release/)** release, the developers have had to make **major architectural changes to the Raspberry Pi Desktop**. Some key highlights include: - **Wayland Only** - **Networking Improvements** - **PipeWire by Default** - **Raspberry Pi-Optimized Firefox** Naturally, you can expect the core benefits of Debian 'Bookworm' along with the above-mentioned changes. ### Wayland Only Yes, you read that right. The Raspberry Pi Desktop has moved to the [Wayland](https://wayland.freedesktop.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) window system as its default, dropping the [X11](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X%5FWindow%5FSystem?ref=itsfoss.com) window system owing to various limitations, with the primary selling point being that **Wayland performs better on modern hardware**. All of this was made possible thanks to the implementation of the [**Wayfire**](https://github.com/WayfireWM/wayfire?ref=itsfoss.com) compositor, which also allowed the devs to keepthe **user experience a familiar one.** Quoting the devs from the release announcement: > If you boot Raspberry Pi OS on a Pi 4 or 5, you will now get a Wayfire desktop. It should look pretty much identical to the desktop you are used to from Bullseye, but appearances are deceptive — it has taken a lot of work to get to the point where the two desktop environments look the same! **We are not surprised by this move, though.** Recently, we have been seeing an increase in transition to Wayland from older window systems like X11 and [Openbox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Openbox?ref=itsfoss.com). For instance, the recent move by GNOME that has kick-started the transition to **[a Wayland-only future](https://itsfoss.com/gnome-wayland-xorg/)**. Even **Fedora Linux 40 is all set to drop the X11 session** for an XWayland approach with [Plasma 6](https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/KDE%5FPlasma%5F6?ref=itsfoss.com). It is interesting to see Raspberry Pi OS make the move already 😄 📋 Fret not, **for users who still want to use the older X11/Openbox display systems**, they can do so by re-enabling these from the 'Advanced Settings' menu under 'raspi-config'. ### Networking Improvements ![a screenshot of raspberry pi os networking plugin in the taskbar](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/RaspberryPi_OS_Bookworm_2.png) Working on the previously implemented [NetworkManager](https://networkmanager.dev/?ref=itsfoss.com) network controller, the devs have been able to improve it by having **the networking plugin on the taskbar**. It looks almost the same as in the previous versions but with a new 'Advanced Options' element that allows users to access the new functions made available by NetworkManager. ### PipeWire by Default Raspberry Pi Desktop now features [PipeWire](https://pipewire.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) for handling all audio/video-related tasks. It replaces [PulseAudio](https://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/PulseAudio/?ref=itsfoss.com), for **a more modern and flexible approach** to audio/video handling. On the user side, you can take advantage of **better Bluetooth audio device management**, **lower latency**, **better interoperability with Wayland,** and more. Users do have **the option to revert to PulseAudio** by following the same steps mentioned above for switching the windowing systems. ### Raspberry Pi-Optimized Firefox ![a screenshot of raspberry pi os running the raspberry pi-optimized firefox](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/RaspberryPi_OS_Bookworm_3.png) For the first time, an **officially supported, Raspberry Pi-optimized version of [Mozilla Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/?ref=itsfoss.com)** is being made available through this release of Raspberry Pi OS. Users can now utilize the **V4L2 codec support** **for** **using the hardware h.264 decoder** on their Raspberry Pi, which should help in **better HD video playback.** They have also enabled [Widevine DRM](https://www.widevine.com/solutions/widevine-drm?ref=itsfoss.com) for **a hassle-free streaming experience** on major video streaming platforms. There are a few other subtle changes in this release. Refer to the [official blog](https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/bookworm-the-new-version-of-raspberry-pi-os/?ref=itsfoss.com) to learn more. ## 📥 Download Raspberry Pi OS As the changes to the operating system are significant, the developers recommend that you **start with a fresh installation** (re-image your SD card). Sure, you can upgrade at your own risk. You can head over to the [official website](https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/operating-systems/?ref=itsfoss.com) to get started. [Raspberry Pi OS](https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/operating-systems/?ref=itsfoss.com) *💬 Are you excited about the new Raspberry Pi OS upgrade? Let us know in the comments.*